All at sea: preparing the law for offshore aquaculture in Australia

Conflicts with competing coastal uses and climate change impacts are forcing the aquaculture industry in Australia to look offshore for expansion opportunities. Offshore locations avoid local conflicts but require strong governance to ensure that remote operations meet environmental and animal health standards and social expectations. With the economic importance of aquaculture now being recognised in Australia, we examine the preparedness of Australia's laws and policy for offshore aquaculture, using salmon farming off Tasmania as a case study. Four areas for reform are identified - strategic planning to define the future of offshore farming; standards for environmental and animal health protection; a consistent approach to governance; and independent and accountable decision-making processes.